The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, February 6, 1941. NEW WAR POSSIBILITIES.

Grey River Argus, 6 February 1941, Page 4

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, February 6, 1941. NEW WAR POSSIBILITIES.

■ The veil behind which so many ■ moves in this remarkable war are ! proceeding is to-day lifted some- ■ what to reveal more than one • critical development. That an in- | vasion of Britain will be eventually attempted appears a conclusion that is generally accepted, but there remains at the same time pretty general uncertainty as to when the attempt is going to be made. In spite of various hints, it may not be very imminent. There arc several things pointing to this conjecture. For one thing, a German invasion of Bulgaria is now disclosed as probably planned to come previously, if not at any rate simultaneously. "The Times’’ publishes a statement suggesting, indeed that the Bulgarians will probably be found ranged on the Axis side as against Turkey when it suits the Germans to launch their advance, which would possibly turn Bulgaria itself into a cock-pit. with the Turks soon crossing the frontiers on the southeast to meet the Germans coming from the frontiers on the north.. Yet another delaying factor as regards an "all-out’’ blitz against Britain is the German endeavour to exact from the French conees- ) sions for which the Armistice made no provision, particularly, in London estimates, bases on the .Mediterranean, including North Africa, enabling them to render the British position less secure than it has now become. Presumably Germany is bent upon sustaining her ally, a diversion which does not accord with her previous profession to be directing all her attention to Britain. At the same time, a Balkan incursion from Germany would be calculated greatly to discommode the Greek Army. The Soviet does not now appear to be bearing out the predictions of those who recently claimed Russia would bar the way on Germany in South-eastern Europe, but the Japanese, on the | other hand, claim that their negotiations for a trade agreement at Moscow are going favourably; while Hungary, an Axis member, is arranging direct railway communication with Russia. The Japanese are doubtless anxious to mollify the soviet in view of their < designs at the other end of East < Asia, where their new order con- • templates action not only to defeat China, but Io secure econ- i omic advantage further south, f especially in the Dutch East In- J dies. Evidently the Siamese are j working in with the Japanese, i who expect a naval base in South China as the outcome of the recent < Siamese hostilities with Indo- < China. It is impossible not to re- ] late growing Japanese plans with ( their adhesion to the Axis, though 1 it may be going too far to suggest that their designs regarding the ( Dutch territory go any further ' than commercial objects, as Japan ■ needs East Indies petrol and other . Ipommodities increasingly from that ] quarter as the result of her sup- ; plies being cut off in other direc- ’ tions, and notably that of the f United States. The Aid Bill bids ]

fair to have a smart and successful passage through Congress, and it seems safe to say that President Roosevelt wil] completely implement the policy of supporting Britain which inspired him to seek office for a third term. Thus, on a broad view, Britain’s own position is stronger than it had even recently appeared, because the enemy has to take increasingly into account the opposition growing as the result of Britain’s stand, not only across the Atlantic and in British Dominions, but ail along the Mediterranean littoral. The French are more likely to fight in North Africa with Britain than to give way to Germany in the matter of the unoccupied territory. The delay of the invasion attempt is becoming rather significant. Hitler has to keep his eye on the clock, but it appears to be going faster than Im has ever bargained for, and his concentration on Britain is no longer complete.